Tube preamp recommendations

Chad Karnitz · Post by **Chad Karnitz** » 18 Aug 2002 1:21 pm

I'm looking for recommendations for a tube preamp for steel. What works well?

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 18 Aug 2002 3:36 pm

My favorite is the Kern bass preamp, which I believe is built somewhere in your neck of the woods (somewhere in WI).

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 18 Aug 2002 3:45 pm

Mesa Boogie V-Twin rackmount. Great clean signal on one channel, and all the crunch you'd ever want on the drive channel. I run mostly very clean, but I dial in just a bit of grit to taste.

I've had Tubeworks stuff in the past and that's been very good, but the MB beats it hands down.
Steve

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 18 Aug 2002 8:31 pm

Tubeworks stuff in the past and that's been very good

Steve, I got a 9002 and had them do the steel mod and it still breaks up when I play two or more strings in the high end. I don't know what to do; I just don't like it. It's possible that the placement in the chain could have something to do w/it (preamping a preamped signal), but I've tried every combination. It's nice w/my Tele through my other Session 500 though so I guess I'll keep it but I wouldn't recommend it.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 18 Aug 2002 9:48 pm

Ampeg SVT bass preamp is real good , lots of headroom and clarity.

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Olli Haavisto
Polar steeler
Finland

Cameron Parsons · Post by **Cameron Parsons** » 18 Aug 2002 11:36 pm

I have the Tubeworks Blue Tube II, and I have the same problem Marty has regarding the unit breaking up on the high end. My unit also has the steel mod, and, at the advice of the tech support people at Tubeworks, I replaced the 12AX7 tubes with 12AU7 tubes which are not supposed to break up as easy. Even with the different tubes, it distorts. I appreciate any other suggestions about fixing this problem.

Although the unit has the distortion problem, I have used it for several years which is an indicator of how much I like the tone. I use the "power amp in" input on the back of a Nashville 400, and it sounds great.

When I buy a new preamp, I will look very closely at Mesa Boogie.

Michael Holland · Post by **Michael Holland** » 19 Aug 2002 4:11 am

Me too. I bought a Real Tube II (seller told me it has the steel mod) and it breaks up, too. I tried it a couple times and that was it. Anyone want it for $50?

rpetersen · Post by **rpetersen** » 19 Aug 2002 6:16 am

How about an Evans Preamp??

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Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 19 Aug 2002 6:58 am

I don't know what your guys problem is but I have been using a Blue Tube II for several
years and never have had it break up. However, my setup is all Tube Works. Including their spring reverb and amp. I love the setup and would be hard put to find anything better.
Erv

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 19 Aug 2002 4:26 pm

I think a lot of this depends on the 'vintage' of the Tubeworks preamp you're talking about. The preamps made in the BK Butler era seem to be great, but the company has been very sporadic, IMO, in recent years. At least 2 of their techs have told me that they don't really know what the original mod was, and they sort of continually experiment with changes.

I have an older BlueTube I, for example, that is as clean as it gets, with great tone and bite. I also had a ~1999 RealTube 9002 and it sounded pretty good to my ear when I first got it. However, I sent it back to the company in ~2001 when they described a 'new' steel mod, and although it came back with some improved clarity and response in the low end (a real improvement!), it broke up at very low gain levels - too low. I ended up selling it and then I got the Mesa Boogie V-Twin, which I really think is outstanding. No comparison, IMHO.

You might want to try swapping out your stock 12ax7 preamp tubes for a couple of Sovtek 5751 tubes, Marty. They have ~70% of the gain of standard 12ax7s, no noise, and a clear, bell-like quality. Best $20.00 you'll ever spend on tone, and they might just do the trick for you.

[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 19 August 2002 at 05:29 PM.]

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 19 Aug 2002 5:30 pm

Worth a try; thanks.

Cameron Parsons · Post by **Cameron Parsons** » 20 Aug 2002 3:06 am

Steve said he had a rackmount version of the Mesa Boogie V-Twin, but the Mesa Boogie website only lists the floor pedal version. Is the rackmount version a custom job? Also, has anyone tried the Triaxis or Formula preamp?[This message was edited by Cameron Parsons on 20 August 2002 at 04:07 AM.]

Leon Roberts · Post by **Leon Roberts** » 20 Aug 2002 5:03 am

For the guys with TubeWorks Blue Tube's that have distortion. I have one of the older BlueTube II's and have been satisfied with it's operation. I will list some things to check to see if any of them will help with your problems.

1. The first two switches("CHANNEL" and "STACK"), make sure these are in the "OFF" position. The green light should be "ON" indicating the "clean" channel being used.

2. If the effects loop is used, make sure the pots are adjusted properly. I don't use the effects loop any longer. I go out of the BlueTube "line level" stereo to my two Boss SE-50's. The effects unit being used must be set at "+4 db" to accept the line level signal. From the "SE-50's", I go to the power amp.

The things listed above might not solve your problem, but are well worth checking out. Another forumite was having trouble with his TubeWorks Pre-Amp and solved it by setting the "+4db", "-20db" switch on his Lexicon.
Leon

Karlis Abolins · Post by **Karlis Abolins** » 20 Aug 2002 5:30 am

I have an ART tube PAC (preamp and compressor) that I really like. I can get a clean sound or a real fat tube sound without breakup. I combine it with an ART tube EQ to get the sounds I want.

Karlis

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 20 Aug 2002 6:19 am

All my Tube Works stuff has BK Butler's name on them. That must be the difference. You could drop Herby Wallace an e-mail if you have any questions. He is a dealer for Tube Works and he won't steer you wrong.

Erv

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 20 Aug 2002 6:48 am

I'm learning to like my Mesa/Boogie Studio preamp. They are a two rack space unit that has two channels, reverb, and a graphic EQ. I have never tried it through a really good power amp, I think it would scare me. You can usually find a used one at a decent price.

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Doug Earnest
The only Zum Keyless U12, Fender Cyber Twin

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 20 Aug 2002 7:26 pm

If you can afford it, Demeter makes a nice tube bass pre. I have one in my main rack: http://www.demeteramps.com/basspreamps/

Jeff Peterson · Post by **Jeff Peterson** » 21 Aug 2002 3:32 pm

I agree, the Demeter is great. If your pocketbook is a little deeper.....go for the Demeter 3-channel guitar preamp...just great tone with more EQ. It would be nice if we could pressure Peavey into making one of these type preamps. They could do it, and undoubtably make them 60% cheaper. As a matter of fact, if they would just make a rack mount version of the Classic 50 pre section, I'd be in line in a heartbeat. No R&D required, just stuff it into the old TubeFex box. THAT would be a sweet preamp.....with reverb and fan, of course. I think I'll give ol' Hartley a call now.....wish me luck!

John Russell · Post by **John Russell** » 21 Aug 2002 7:29 pm

I've had good success with the Real Tube II (9001 model), love the tone way better than any SS amp I've used.

I had Bill Ussery (Eric Johnson's amp tech) set up my rig and he suggested to run the power amp wide open. That way you don't need to turn up the pre-amp past half way. Also, he suggested to place the digital reverb between the pre- and power-amp. The other FX are inline between the volume pedal and pre-amp. I use a Boss GE-7 EQ and it gives an nice boost to the whole rig in addition to tone shaping. I use the AU-7 tubes which, according to the mfgr. give less gain but also the least distortion.

Last I checked Tube Works/Genz Benz was at 602-941-0705. Call them for details and get the tech sheet that goes with the unit. If that doesn't work, contact me and I'll PDF the thing and e-mail it to you.
--JR